Rock Armored Innovation
Section D Before
Section D After
Old Emerald Trail runs down a west-facing ridge in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. Rain and heavy visitor use combine on steep sections to cause major erosion and habitat loss. To keep the trail from deteriorating, the types of trail maintenance we do on other trails every 2-5 years must be completed every few months.
In response to these challenges, Laguna Canyon Foundation is pioneering rock-armored drains: dry-stone masonry construction that combines erosion control with tread fortification.
Our rock-armored drains will divert water off the trail while withstanding fast-moving bike tires and hiking boots. Once we’ve stopped the water flowing, we can repair the damaged tread.
In Spring 2025, we completed Sections D and I, installing rock armored drains, repairing tread, and naturalizing habitat.
While most technical work is completed by LCF staff, we provide opportunities for committed volunteers to build their trail stewardship skillset. In April, volunteers from REI joined us to do tread improvements and set “gargoyles” (off-trail boulders to help define the trail corridor). In May we hosted a rock skills workshop to share techniques with LCF long-term volunteers.
8 more sections need to be funded. Check the gallery below to see our progress!
To view a PDF of the full Old Emerald Project proposal, click here.
To learn more about our Trails Program, check out our Story Map!
Help Build the Trail!
Thanks to a generous contribution from the GlassWood Foundation, donations to the Old Emerald Project will be matched up to $10,000.
As a bonus, all donations over $100 will receive a gift of Laguna Canyon Foundation’s “Protect What Connects” limited edition t-shirt.
You can fund construction of a whole trail section, or contribute towards the next section up.
